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2012-12-13 09:12:04 (7 comments, 2 reshares, 44 +1s)

Kumu Hula and Haumana (Hula Teacher and Student)...

Rarely seen are the deep loving relations, countless hours and lifestyle dedication that can create amazing expressions...like Hula. The spirit is 'ohana and aloha. Here is a glimpse...
Aloha

2012-11-12 10:37:52 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 23 +1s)

Trust is something you earn... Fiji

2012-10-30 08:31:49 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 46 +1s)

Snack time...Fijian style!  on an outer island, Fiji

2012-10-27 11:25:36 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 29 +1s)

It's the thought that counts...  Fiji

2012-10-08 09:33:10 (7 comments, 5 reshares, 60 +1s)

...and the story is told...  Pa Hula at Ka'auea on Big Island, Hawaii.

2012-09-20 09:09:16 (13 comments, 2 reshares, 54 +1s)

You might not recognize it, but this waterfall is the same one I last posted...within the majestic Waipi'o Valley is the majestic falls of Hi'ilawe on Hawai'i's Big Island.

2012-08-10 09:34:07 (23 comments, 24 reshares, 113 +1s)

I have waited a long time...for the right invitation, for the right reason and with a group of wonderful people full of aloha, purpose and passion to venture to this spiritual place.
Aloha.

2012-07-30 10:30:36 (13 comments, 7 reshares, 60 +1s)

She thought it was over...

2012-07-28 03:45:22 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 26 +1s)

A solo hula to the song Hi'ilawe   Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition, O'ahu Hawai'i

This is a shot from my current documentary project following eighteen 8 to 12 year old girls as they prepared for and competed in the prestigious Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition.  The project has been ongoing for 8 months now and just culminated with the competition this past weekend.  I am looking forward to the follow up piece now that the competition is finished.  These girls and their families make many sacrifices to learn Hawai'ian ways, values and history as it applies to their chants, dances and life in the halau (hula school).

Happy Aloha Friday!

2012-07-06 09:07:36 (16 comments, 6 reshares, 57 +1s)

It was a double date that started kinda...awkward.   Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, Big Island of Hawai'i

2012-06-21 08:28:02 (8 comments, 5 reshares, 70 +1s)

The adorable keiki hula (children's hula) group of Halau Kala'akeakauikawekiu
Kikaua Point Beach, Big Island of Hawai'i

2012-06-14 20:40:20 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Chillaxing...

2012-06-13 21:40:50 (8 comments, 6 reshares, 40 +1s)

*Like a Hawai'ian Angel*  Hula Kahiko, Big Island of Hawai'i

2012-06-10 21:13:28 (7 comments, 4 reshares, 47 +1s)

*Pride, Native American style...an intimate moment at Powwow.*  Hilo Inter-Tribal Powwow, Big Island of Hawai'i

2012-06-09 20:50:22 (15 comments, 6 reshares, 52 +1s)

Smiles of Aloha   Kuki'o, Big Island of Hawai'i

Last weekend, after their hot mid-day performance, I started to get the keiki hula group relaxed and ready to make some photos...

2012-06-06 22:08:45 (13 comments, 2 reshares, 46 +1s)

Sometimes those darn Angry Birds aren't so...angry.

2012-06-05 21:34:47 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

Curls

2012-06-01 22:18:53 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

On a good day he transforms into...Lurk.

International Professional Clown, Martin Ewen, was just about 3/4s on his way to the deep physical and emotional transformation into his incredible character of Lurk.  You might remember a shot I took of him and his partner that I posted awhile back, http://goo.gl/f6grH .   It is exciting to photograph a trained, professional clown because they are masters at expression and conveying thought, emotions and story with nary a word.  I really enjoyed looking for such subtle yet powerful hints of communication to make the photos.  Here, I sensed a distinct change in his eyes...one was already in character while the other was...on it's way.
Happy Aloha Friday!

2012-05-31 21:46:13 (7 comments, 3 reshares, 63 +1s)

Living peacefully together... Ni`aulani Forest Reserve, Big Island, Hawai'i

2012-05-30 21:41:08 (21 comments, 3 reshares, 46 +1s)

Hapu'u window with a Koa view. Ni`aulani Forest Reserve, Big Island, Hawai'i

One of my favorite things to do on Hawai'i Island is to spend some time "feeling" in this beautiful rain forest. Sadly, it is one of the last Koa and Ohi'a rainforests in all the state... The "window" is formed by the ancient giant (about 10-20 feet tall) and spiritual Hapu'u fern and the "heart-shaped" tree in the middle is the majestic indigenous Koa tree. My senses get so stimulated here I find it difficult to make photos and usually only come away with a very small amount if any. I was pleased to remember through this photo what that moment was like...an innocent child laying down, looking up and ... wondering...
Aloha my friends.

2012-05-25 08:25:48 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

Power of the moment...when the past becomes the present. Hawai'ian style.

2012-05-24 21:53:49 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 38 +1s)

Strength, spirit and virtue...Hula is not a hobby...it's a lifestyle.

2012-05-21 21:52:26 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

The balance of life...and the journey to maintain it.

2012-05-18 22:01:04 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

Happy Aloha Friday! Hope you have a fun and...wild weekend.

2012-05-17 21:24:15 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 44 +1s)

Looky Loos...guess who is next to perform Hula? lol Kailua Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i

2012-05-17 05:44:12 (24 comments, 6 reshares, 27 +1s)

What fragrance filled the air - a wall of plumeria flowers...only in Hawai'i! Kailua Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i

T'was an amazing experience at the 7th annual Halau Kala'akeakauikawekiu's annual Mother's Day Keiki Hula Fundraiser/Concert! Fyi, that "curtain" in the background is made of fresh plumeria flowers...198 - 21 foot strands!!!

2012-05-11 04:32:15 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

Follow the light... Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo, Hawai'i

2012-05-10 04:40:08 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 29 +1s)

Sway, rattle and chant...from the land where palm trees sway.
Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo, Hawai'i

2012-05-09 04:10:04 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 27 +1s)

We were all "ears" as she told her story...
Miss Aloha Hula Competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo, Hawai'i.

2012-05-04 21:10:18 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 28 +1s)

...she was blessed with a vision... Miss Aloha Hula Competition, Merrie Monarch, Hilo, Hawai'i.

2012-05-02 06:28:22 (12 comments, 4 reshares, 52 +1s)

When every detail counts...this time it's a competition! Hula Kahiko at the 49th Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo Hawai'i.

2012-04-29 22:54:17 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

The wild side... Hula Kahiko at Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo, Hawai'i

The excitement at this year's Merrie Monarch was captured dramatically by Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu's halau Academy of Hawai'ian Arts...Oakland represented in this Hula Kahiko!

2012-04-27 21:15:06 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

A golden moment...as a halau shares a chant.... Hula Kahiko at Merrie Monarch Festival, Hawai'i.

2012-04-27 06:20:23 (28 comments, 4 reshares, 33 +1s)

Ti leaves swaying and chant fill the air... Hula Kahiko @ Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo Hawai'i

Hula Kahiko (old style hula) is led by chant and the pounding of a drum/ipu heke (gourd drum). Here the energy swirled with the graceful movements during this year's competition at the 49th annual Merrie Monarch Festival. http://merriemonarch.com/home
Btw, the prominent "heads" you see up front at the base of the stage are a couple of the judges...

2012-04-26 22:01:29 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

The sway of a twilight hula... Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo, Hawai'i

Aloha my friends... So glad to be back to post some photos and catch up. A couple of weeks ago here in Hilo Hawai'i the 49th annual Merrie Monarch Festival took place where the best of the best come to compete in Hula. Some call it the Olympics of Hula, no matter how you look at it though you soon find the energy and performance at a level so powerful and unique. For one whole week the town of Hilo buzzes with a very special energy...one that people from all over the world unite for a single cause, culture and way of life.
Here is my first of a series...a simple introduction if you will...enjoy!
Aloha.

2012-04-05 21:50:30 (24 comments, 13 reshares, 73 +1s)

I like slow walks on the beach...oh yeah and experiencing some of Tutu Pele's power.

Last December's lava flow from the Pu'u 'O'o Crater of Kilauea as it enters the ocean on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
Aloha

2012-04-05 08:56:04 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 40 +1s)

The Highschool years...as a Hula Dancer.

2012-04-01 09:30:34 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 41 +1s)

...sharing memories filled with...

2012-03-31 04:45:00 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 50 +1s)

Saying goodbye to the sun...for now.
Have a great weekend!

2012-03-29 21:53:09 (20 comments, 0 reshares, 37 +1s)

Skyrockets in flight...afternoon delight.

Back in December on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, the lava flowed for great distances on the surface from Kilaueaʻs Puʻu Oʻo Crater. On this one day, the late twilight show of itʻs cresting the large cliffs and entering the ocean made for an emotionally charged surreal experience...

Aloha

2012-03-28 21:04:34 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

The Aztecs are in town...the Aztecs are in town!

2012-03-27 21:17:11 (22 comments, 1 reshares, 49 +1s)

In the middle of that loooooong minute before her first performance.

#PortraitTuesday curated by +Laura Balc

2012-03-27 09:18:58 (12 comments, 3 reshares, 39 +1s)

When concentration and spirit come together...

I am always in awe to witness the young hula dancers. They all spend so much time together practicing (Hula is a lifestyle for most) that they become very close "hula sisters". Running around and having fun...but then it happens. Once they put on their outfit...a calm, meditative mood ensues. This is when you can see hyper children calm and focused. As the performance time nears, the dancers become more and more enthralled in the moment. An oli (chant/prayer) seems to then bring in the spiritual connection to it's fullest extreme...yes, even in the children! Here are two children who were minutes away from a hula offering at a very sacred site called the Pa Hula at Ka'auea.

Aloha.

2012-03-25 21:05:29 (17 comments, 4 reshares, 58 +1s)

...because some days we need rain drops from a rainbow.

2012-03-25 09:11:07 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!

2012-03-24 09:12:26 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

...once upon a time I lived on an island.

Have a great weekend! Aloha!

2012-03-23 20:25:19 (21 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

They say...curiosity killed the cat. Big Island, Hawai'i

2012-03-23 10:32:50 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

Orchids gone wild...

#FloralFriday curated by +Tamara Pruessner

2012-03-22 22:06:14 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 41 +1s)

Spread your wings and fly... Fancy Shawl Dance

* a side note... I put a lot of hidden meaning into my photos...usually they stay hidden lol. Here I want to explain that the Dancer seems to represent the beautiful butterfly as she emerges from her cocoon...to be born again. As she dances and twirls and "spreads her wings" she will fly from the dark...to the...light (as in good, healthy and prosperous). This is shown by the dark left side and the gradient to the light right side. Just a bit of symbolism I added to the image and am glad to share with you. Thanks!

2012-03-22 09:49:17 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

The sweet sound of music...Fijian island style!